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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Who knew that Hillary Clinton would be such a trend setter on Capitol Hill? Famous for her collection of yellow suits, it seems that although Hilary was nowhere to be found, her suits did make an attendance at Tuesday nights State of the Union Address.

While I applaud the women of DC for attempting to break out of the uniform of a black or navy suit, with pantyhose and closed toe pumps, no one ever suggested that canary yellow was the answer. A boring, boxy suit in yellow, or even purple or red for that matter, is still no more flattering than a black one.

I can admit that their are still many careers that require a polished, professional suit to be worn, but fashion designers have become wise to this and created many figure flattering, detailed suits that are still somewhat fashionable. So, women of Capitol Hill, in a city that is quickly turning into a fashion focused one, please heed this advice and invest in some of the suits pictured below.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

In the past few seasons, nail color has been just as important as any other fashion element. In '06 there was the gothic movement with shades of black, then '08 brought a slew of neon nails in electric pinks, yellows and oranges. Most recently for '09 was a surprising twist with an unexpected shade of jade green.

It's time to get sophisticated with this year grown up shade of taupe polish, the perfect compliment to springs subtle neutrals, pretty pastels and soft tones. Taupe has a way of blending in to any outfit, while still adding an element of sophistication, more than, say, the basic light pink polish.

As with most nail polish trends, this one debuted on Chanel's Spring 2010 runway show, with models showing of this mushroom-y shade. Other nail polish brands have taken note, and now there are variety of options to chose from.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Pantone is the world leader for colors, not just for fashion, but for graphic design and interiors as well. Fashion designers use Pantone's color system to specify colors they use in their collection. Each season Pantone releases color swatches of the selected colors for the upcoming season.

From Pantone comes the color forcast for Spring/Summer 2010:

Designers bring splashes of sunshine to the runway for spring 2010. Vibrant brights add a sense of excitement to the color palette, while practical neutrals provide a safety net for cautious consumers.

“Now more than ever, women are vigilant when it comes to spending,” said Leatrice Eiseman,executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.“Instead of reinventing their wardrobe at the start of each season, consumers want pieces tocomplement what they already own. Pairing a bold color with a basic piece or freshening up their look with bright accents addresses the need for practicality, as well as fun.”

Spring and summer naturally evoke feelings of calm ocean waters and tranquil beach vacationsin cool, vibrant, tropical Turquoise. This soothing hue from the blue-green family conjures feelings of escape, especially when paired with Amparo Blue. With more warmth than the typical spring navy, this particular shade of blue is extremely appealing because of its brighter, more energetic attitude.

Like the scent of a blossoming flower,Violet lends a romantic air to the warm-weather palette. This intriguing purplish hue is a distinctive addition to any wardrobe.

Yellow has made its mark on fashion and spring will further this trend with gleaming Aurora.Reminiscent of the first glimpse of yellow as the sun begins to rise over the horizon, this shimmering, slightly greenish yellow adds a bold infusion.

Energy continues to surge throughout the warmer hues of spring, leading to provocative FusionCoral. This inviting orange connects directly to tangy Tomato Purée, this season’s classic red. Pair it with Turquoise for a retro look.

Thoughtful, cautious neutrals provide a dependable backbone to the brights of spring. Kick back and enjoy the bubbly luxury of Pink Champagne. This delicate, wispy tint is the season’s newest neutral. The melding of Pink Champagne, Tomato Purée and Amparo Blue is a refreshing take on the classic springtime combination of red, white and blue.

Three additional neutrals round out the palette. Tuscany, a warm beige hue, provides the perfect backdrop and works well as a solid base color with dynamic accents like Fusion Coral or Violet. Dried Herb is the ultimate green neutral, pairing well with all other colors. Ideal for bigger ticket items, cool Eucalyptus is the eternal, practical gray. Choose this nuanced neutral and add brightly colored exclamation points in shoes, jewelry and handbags.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

I could not be more excited for the new year! I think it will bring many changes to me, which I am so excited about.

First I'm excited about my brand new website for personal shopping and fashion styling, The Style Maison. I had an amazing web designer, Florie Coggins, who surpassed my expectations for the site.

Now, since Thursday, The Style Maison is being featured on Groupon, an awesome site for local discounts. Through tomorrow, Sunday January 10, you can purchase a $300 gift card towards my services for just $100!! This is a 67% discount! This is a great way to treat yourself for the new year, or a perfect gift for anyone. Visit my website to see all of the various services I offer.

Click here if you are not already a member of Groupon, and get in on their amazing deals!

* Also, thank you to Jennifer over at Atlanta on the Cheap for her comical write up about the deal! Look forward to working with you Jennifer!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

While many parts of the country are experiencing the lowest temperatures in decades, it is already time to look ahead towards Spring fashions. In fact, the fashion industry has already turned it's eyes towards Fall fashion. . .giving new meaning to the phrase "that's so last year".

So what does Spring fashion hold for us? What trends will linger, and what new trends will surface? Keep reading below to find my 10 trends for Spring 2010. Then continue to check back weekly to find each trend explored in more depth with examples of my favorite finds.

10 Trend for Spring 2010

1. Lusty Lingerie - Lingerie isn't just for the bedroom. . .this sassy trend makes it appearance every few years, but it takes careful planning to pull of the underwear as outerwear trend.

The Style Maison Personal Fashion Styling

The Style Maison

My interest in fashion is two sided:
I first have a love for the art of the designs. For the trends, the runway shows, the entire culture.
I also have an interest in fashion as style. This is about the wear-ability of fashion - creating not only a beautiful look, but one which complements the person wearing it.
I have several years experience in fashion, from being a fashion editor, to a stylist, to a personal shopper, and spending a summer studying in Paris. This blog serves to combine my three loves: fashion, style and writing.
If you are interested in my services, please check out my website. www.thestylemaison.com